Photo by Jon Luini
Today, Bay Area psychedelic soul collective Moonalice released their latest project, Full Moonalice Vol. 2. The project comes as a pairing to their Nettwerk debut Full Moonalice Vol. 1, which was released on April 20. Moonalice’s Lester Chambers and his son Dylan spoke with Relix about Vol. 1 in an article earlier this year.
The project was mixed and mastered by four-time Grammy award-winning engineer Dave Way and showcases the musical collective’s shared love for magic and music over six songs.
“What can I say about the new EP? Well it sure has some magical, musical, Moonalice memories,” proclaimed Lester Chambers in a press release. “We are bringing you a whole new level of Love Peace and Happiness! The overall theme of the new EP is love and you sure can feel it. We have taken a few rockin’ classics and put our own psychedelic soul spin on ‘em! We hope you fall in love with our new EP and share our message to all your friends and family, because after all, you are all part of the Moonalice Family!”
The new EP opens with the effervescent “Love, Peace and Happiness,” a song initially written by The Chamber Brothers as a contemporary and mind-altering counterpart to their 1967 song “Time Has Come Today.” The 10-piece group braves generations as Lester’s son Dylan Chambers takes the lead on the third track on the project “Yes We Can Can,” which also features backing vocals by the T Sisters and sees the older Chambers sing, “I know we can make it, I know we can make it if we try!” Throughout Full Moonalice Vol. 2, the group showcases a mastery of harmony and groove by tapping into the Ashford & Simpson classic “You’re All I Need To Get By” and the closing track, a cover of “Uncle John’s Band” by the Grateful Dead.
“‘You’re All I Need to Get By’ is an iconic love song that perfectly encapsulates the ‘power of love’ ethos of Moonalice,” added Chloe Tietjen. “Our arrangement pays homage to both the Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell version, with its conversational flow between voices, and the Aretha Franklin version, with its staccato counter refrain. We love how this song came together and hope you do, too.”
Another standout from the project includes the “Love Medley,” a combination of the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” and Jackie DeShannon’s “Put A Little Love In Your Heart,” which was arranged by Moonalice’s keyboardist Mookie Siegel.
The release of Moonalice’s new EP coincides with a San Francisco screening of Questlove’s Academy Award-winning film Summer of Soul. The film documents the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival at Mount Morris Park in New York, during which Lester Chambers and The Chambers Brothers performed. The film also includes two of their songs: “Uptown” and “Have a Little Faith,” which bookend the film.
Watch a lyric video for “You’re All I Need To Get By” and stream the full EP below.
Full Moonalice Vol. 2 EP Tracklist
1. Love, Peace and Happiness
2. You’re All I Need to Get By
3. Yes We Can Can
4. Love Me Today
5. Love Medley – All You Need Is Love / Put a Little Love in Your Heart
6. Uncle John’s Band